SOUTH Lakes ramped up their preparations for the new North Hockey Women’s League Division Two North West season with victory in the Cumbria Cup.

The pre-season tournament at Casterton School in Kirkby Lonsdale saw nine teams from across the county taking part, split into one group of four and one group of five.

Ulverston-based South Lakes were up against Keswick’s first team, Penrith and Dalston in the smaller of the two groups and there was nothing to split the sides as it ended in a goalless draw.

Their second match was against Penrith, in which Lakes kept the pressure on and maintained most of the possession and won 1-0.

The final games of the group stage for South Lakes against Dalston, and the team managed to ensure they went through the initial matches unbeaten and without conceding a goal in a 3-0 win.

That saw South Lakes and Keswick progress to the semi-finals, with Carlisle and Wigton going through from group two, which also contained Keswick’s seconds, hosts Kirkby Lonsdale and Kendal.

South Lakes took on Carlisle, and after a fantastic effort but a struggle to find the back of the goal it ended 0-0.

The Ulverston squad were first to have a flick which was unfortunately saved by the Carlisle keeper, but fortunately Joy Potter was on it and saved Carlisles flick.

South Lakes then scored the next four goals which meant Carslie needed to score to stay in it. However, Potter made a fantastic save which meant that Lakes were in the final.

Their opponents were Wigton, who also needed penalty flicks to overcome Keswick after their semi-final finished 0-0, going through on sudden death after the shoot-out finished 2-2.

The final was a tough match, but despite Wigton having a few shots on goal, South Lakes managed to keep their cool.

After a fantastic break from South Lakes’ midfielders, the ball was carried into the D and found the back of the goal making it 1-0, with six minutes to go.

That proved enough and when the final whistle went, South Lakes were crowned Cumbria Cup winners.

South Lakes’ team on the day comprised goalkeeper Potter, Lesley Davey, Bekha Nuttall, Catherine Cooke, Rebecca Cook, Pam Robertson, Holly Nuttall, Emma Armstrong, Jenny Clayton, Hilary Stephenson and Stephanie Clayton.

The team’s first league match of the season is away to Clitheroe and Blackburn Northern on Saturday, September 22, followed by their first home game against Preston one week later.